Player Profiles of the United States Men’s National Team’s Rising Stars

Project created by Erik Reiss and Benjamin Gottschalk

Written by Erik Reiss

 

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Christian Pulisic – September 18, 1988 (age 19)

Nicknamed the “American Wonderkid,” Christian Pulisic has cemented himself as brightest star that US men’s soccer has to offer. At only nineteen years of age, the versatile midfielder has already enjoyed colossal success, shattering records at both the club and international levels. Born in Hershey, PA, Pulisic’s road to stardom began in 2008 at the PA Classics US Soccer Developmental Academy. From a young age, his unrivaled talent was overwhelmingly evident. Current U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director and U-20 MNT head coach Tab Ramos recalled the first time he saw Pulisic play, saying “he completely looked like someone’s little brother that just jumped on the field, and I was waiting for someone to get him out. Then I realized, ‘Wow, not only does he look like he doesn’t belong physically, but he’s running the show. This kid is running the show.’ He clearly was younger, smaller and didn’t look like he belonged in the game until he was around the ball, until you watched the game for about five minutes and you realized that everybody was playing through him. And the pace of the game was completely run by him.”

 

The aspiring talent embarked on his national campaign in 2012, when he began playing for the U-15 Boy’s National Team at the age of thirteen and scored twenty-one goals in twenty-eight appearances before joining the U-17 MNT in 2013. There, he continued his unprecedented campaign, concluding with twenty-eight goals in thirty-four appearances, and captaining the USMNT in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. Through his consummate level of play, the mercurial teenage sensation quickly garnered the attention of countless European clubs. In 2015, though, Pulisic signed with the German Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund, where he continued to enamor players, coaches, and spectators, tallying four goals and three assists in his first seven matches with the U-19 team. In light of his continued success, his stint with the U-19s was short-lasted. At just sixteen years of age, he joined the first team in 2016 and had a masterful season, recording five goals and nine assists in forty-three matches. In this first season, Pulisic helped BVB win the DFB Pokal tournament, putting away two game-winning penalty kicks in the semifinals and finals, making the “wonderboy” the second US player to win the German Cup competition.

 

Following his run with Dortmund, Pulisic earned his first cap with the USMNT in their qualifying match against Guatemala, where he became the youngest US player to play in a World Cup qualifying match at seventeen years old. He went on to score his first goal with the USMNT in their friendly against Bolivia and subsequently stole the show in their next qualifying matches against St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago. His performance on the international stage coupled with his season at BVB allowed him to capture the US Soccer’s Young Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2016. But, despite his string of achievements in his first year, it was 2017 that solidified his position as the future of the USMNT. The graceful attacker concluded 2017 with six goals and four assists in nine matches and was an integral piece in thirteen of the seventeen goals scored by the MNT. But, the cherry on top was marked by Pulisic being awarded the 2017 US Men’s Player of the Year, beating out esteemed veterans such as Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley (Five Things to Know About Christian Pulisic, 2017).

 

 

Cameron Carter-Vickers – December 31, 1997 (age 20)

Perhaps one of the most touted of the US prospects, Cameron Carter-Vickers has drawn attention for his prowess as a centerback since a very young age. Born in Southend, England, he was scouted by Tottenham Hotspur at age ten and quickly displayed his physical and technical dominance over his fellow peers, playing for the U-16s at age fourteen and the U-18s at age fifteen. While progressing through Tottenham’s developmental system, he attracted interest from the U-17 MNT after a defeating them with the Spurs in the IMG Cup. Carter-Vickers was eventually called to the U-18 MNT on their campaign in the Vaclav Jezek Tournament, where he helped them reach the Championship. After a successful first run, he was called to the U-23 MNT camp in Brazil at the age of sixteen. This showing led him to join the U-20 squad, playing all six qualification games to help the team reach the 2015 U-20 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand, where he emerged as a domineering force in all five of the team’s matches. But, this was only the beginning for Carter-Vickers. He soon became the youngest player to ever appear on the USMNT roster in the qualifying match, when the red, white, and blues went up against Mexico and Costa Rica in 2016. He then fortified his position as one of the United States’ preeminent talents, being named a finalist for U.S. Soccer’s Young Male Player of the Year (Five Things to Know About Cameron Carter-Vickers, 2017).

 

Through his international success and exceptional club-play, the budding talent continued to raise eyebrows on the field, demonstrating a level of maturity, leadership, work ethic, and inquisitiveness beyond his age. This ultimately lead to his promotion to the Spurs first team in the 2016-2017 season. With Tottenham – one of the premiere teams in Europe – Carter-Vickers has not yet had the opportunity to break into the starting eleven, still playing behind world class center backs Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. Due to his lack of playing time with the top-shelf club, Carter-Vickers sought out a loan, to which the Spurs accepted, and he is now a starter on Sheffield United. But, the youngster has still received immense praise from players and coaches alike: Tottenham’s manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed the belief that he “will be one of the best centre-backs in England,” and those involved in the club “deem the 19-year-old their best defensive prospect since former England international King came through the academy” (Davis, 2017).

 

 

Weston McKennie – August 28, 1998 (age 19)

Weston McKennie is an increasingly promising talent for the USMNT, currently playing overseas in Germany’s Bundesliga for Shalke 04 as a central midfielder. Born in Little Elm, TX, McKennie began his career in FC Dallas’ developmental system, where he successfully led the team to two consecutive Development Academy championships at the U-15/U-16 and U-17/U-18 levels. As a top prospect in his youth, he was quick to catch the attention of the USMNT. He has continued to progress from his initial appearance at the U-14 level to his continued success with the U-17 and U-19 levels, which eventually lead to his first cap with the first team in 2017. In spite of his early national achievement, the flourishing midfielder has solidified an integral position at the club level with Shalke 04. At the age of eighteen, McKennie signed with the German Club’s U-19 team and recorded a brilliant first season, leading them to the Championship Semifinal, captaining five times, and tallying four goals and three assists throughout the season. His high level of play warranted his move to the first team this past season, where he continued to establish his ascendancy. Through ten matches with Shalke, Mckennie has displayed his ability to drive the ball forward and pick apart defenses with a great deal of composure. The German club has acknowledged his talent and corroborated his potential by signing him to a five-year contract extension, which is the longest deal for any player currently on the club. With the United States, his short career has been no different: McKennie had his first go with the USMNT in their friendly against Portugal, where he sent one to the back of the net in the 21^st minute to tie the game 1-1, meriting Man of the Match honors in his debut.  (Five Things to Know About Weston McKennie, 2017)

 

 

Tyler Adams – February 14, 1999 (age 19)

Tyler Adams grew up in Wappingers Falls, NY and is currently playing for the New York Red Bulls as a defensive midfielder but also has experience at the fullback position. Starting his career at the U13/U14 level in the Red Bulls developmental system, Adams has since risen in the ranks to the first team, becoming the first Homegrown player in the club’s history. In his debut – which was against the esteemed Chelsea F.C. – the youngster immediately impacted the match, scoring a graceful header in the 69^th minute to give the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead. Adams has also demonstrated his value on the national level, as a starter in both the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile and the 2017 U-20 Summer Olympics in South Korea (Five Things to Know About Tyler Adams, 2017). At last, he experienced his breakout year for both club and country in 2018. Adams has helped the Red Bulls reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League and has surpassed expectations in both of the USMNT’s friendlies this year (Galarcep, 2018). At only nineteen years of age, he has proven to be an up-and-coming star in the MLS that is dually capable of making his mark on the global stage with the USMNT.

 

How to cite this article: 

“Payer Profiles of the United States Men’s National Team’s Rising Stars,” Written by Erik Reiss (2018). World Cup 2018 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/united-states-mens-national-teams-failure-to-qualify-for-the-2018-fifa-world-cup/player-profiles-of-the-united-states-mens-national-teams-rising-stars/ (accessed on (date)).

 

References:

Davis, Noah. “Tottenham’s Cameron Carter-Vickers Is Looking Like a Future Captain  America.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report, 20 Apr. 2017, bleacherreport.com/articles/2694848-tottenhams-cameron-carter-vickers-is-looking-like-a-future-captain-america.

“Five Things to Know About MNT Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.” U.S. Soccer, U.S. Soccer, 17 Nov. 2017, www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/01/08/16/50/20170108-mnt-feat-five-things-to-know-about-cameron-carter-vickers.

“Five Things to Know About MNT Midfielder Christian Pulisic.” U.S. Soccer, U.S. Soccer, 14 Dec. 2017, www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/04/22/11/43/20170422-feat-mnt-five-things-about-christian-pulisic-borussia-dortmund-usmnt.

“Five Things to Know About Tyler Adams.” U.S. Soccer, U.S. Soccer, 18 Nov. 2017,       www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/06/03/18/19/20170603-feat-u20mnt-five-things-to-know-about-u20-mnt-midfielder-tyler-adams.

“Five Things to Know About Weston McKennie.” U.S. Soccer, U.S. Soccer, 19 Nov. 2017, www.ussoccer.com/stories/2017/11/10/08/32/20171110-feat-mnt-five-things-about-weston-mckennie.

Galarcep, Ives. “USMNT: Tim Weah, Tyler Adams and the Top 10 Teenagers in the USA Talent Pipeline.” USMNT: Tim Weah, Tyler Adams and the Top 10 Teenagers in the USA Talent Pipeline | Goal.com, 30 Mar. 2018, www.goal.com/en-us/lists/adams-weah-and-the-top-10-teenagers-in-the-usa-talent/gauhdxnj82qz1o4m5sy3q9kf0.